Spider

Publication 444-262, August 1996

Spider

SIZE: See individual description below

COLOR: See individual description below

DESCRIPTION: The following spiders are commonly found around houses:

• Golden garden spiders have a rather flat head and a thorax region covered with whitish hair. They are black with yellow markings.
• Large orb weavers are found about houses in the fall. Their legs are usually shorter and their bodies not as big as the golden garden spider.
• Wolf spiders are usually large, hairy spiders that are not associated with webs. They look much worse than they are.
• Jumping spiders do just that-jump! They are small, usually black with red or white markings, and are often found in windows. They rarely bite.
• House spiders have "dirty" white and gray markings on their abdomen. They build complicated webs in corners, under tables, chairs, etc.
• Sheet web spiders have a pair of dark bands across their yellowish head-thorax and abdomen region. They are common on shrubs and weeds around the house.

HABITAT: Common household pest in the fall when they are looking for a warm place for winter; found around doors, windows, house plants, basements and garages.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Brown recluse and black widow are the only dangerous spiders in Virginia. (See individual file) Others are beneficial. They eat insects and other spiders.

CONTROL: Spider control is best done on a one-to-one, as needed basis. A general spray for spiders is not recommended, unless the infestation seems severe. Tolerate what you can, spray with an aerosol what you can't.

INTERESTING FACTS: Most homeowners have misconceptions about spiders-they are pictured to be poisonous (even deadly), and likely to attack at any time. Wrong. The only dangerous spiders we have in Virginia are the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider. The brown recluse is not common. The black widow is common, but reports of it biting people are infrequent. For the most part, spiders are beneficial, eating insects and other spiders.

Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension